Side-locking clamping apparatus and method

Abstract

A side-locking clamp that includes a lower band and an upper band is provided. The lower band includes an arcuate body with a hinge portion disposed at a proximal end, and an extension with a mounting hole and a locking tab disposed at a distal end. The upper band includes an arcuate body with a hinge portion, disposed at a proximal end, to engage the lower band hinge portion and form a hinge about which the upper band rotates from an open position to a closed position, and an extension with a mounting hole and a locking tab, disposed at a distal end, to slidingly engage the lower band locking tab and lock the clamp when the upper band is disposed in the closed position.

1. A side-locking clamp, comprising:
 a lower band, including:
 an arcuate body with a hinge portion disposed at a proximal end, and 
 an extension with a mounting hole and a curved locking tab disposed on a curved distal end; and 
 
 an upper band, including:
 an arcuate body with a hinge portion, disposed at a proximal end, to engage the lower band hinge portion and form a hinge about which the upper band rotates from an open position to a closed position, and 
 an extension, with a mounting hole and a curved locking tab disposed on a curved distal edge, to slidingly engage the lower band locking tab from right to left when viewed from the front and lock the clamp when the upper band is disposed in the closed position. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The clamp according to  claim 1 , wherein, when the upper band is disposed in the closed position, the inner surface of the lower band arcuate body and the inner surface of the upper band arcuate body define a cylindrical cavity. 
     
     
       3. The clamp according to  claim 1 , wherein the lower band hinge portion is an arcuate tab and the upper band hinge portion is a slot in which the arcuate tab is cooperatively disposed. 
     
     
       4. The clamp according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper band arcuate body includes at least one lightening hole. 
     
     
       5. The clamp according to  claim 1 , wherein the lower band arcuate body includes at least one lightening hole. 
     
     
       6. The clamp according to  claim 1 , wherein the lower band locking tab thickness is substantially the same as the upper band extension thickness, and the upper band locking tab thickness is substantially the same as the lower band extension thickness. 
     
     
       7. The clamp according to  claim 1 , wherein, when the upper band is disposed in the closed position, the lower band mounting hole and the upper band mounting hole substantially overlay one another. 
     
     
       8. The clamp according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cushion substantially surrounding the lower band arcuate body and the upper band arcuate body. 
     
     
       9. A method for mounting an object to a support using the side-locking clamp according to  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 disposing the side-locking clamp in an open position such that the upper band and the lower band substantially surround the object; 
 rotating the upper band toward the lower band; 
 as the upper band approaches the lower band, translating the upper band laterally, in an unlocking direction, so that the upper band locking tab clears the lower band locking tab; 
 translating the upper band laterally, in a locking direction, so that the upper band locking tab slidingly engages the lower band locking tab; and 
 mounting the side-locking clamp to a support. 
 
     
     
       10. A side-locking clamp, comprising:
 a lower band, including:
 an arcuate body with a hinge portion disposed at a proximal end, and 
 an extension with a mounting hole and a curved locking tab disposed on a curved distal end; and 
 
 an upper band, including:
 an arcuate body with a hinge portion, disposed at a proximal end, to engage the lower band hinge portion and form a hinge about which the upper band rotates from an open position to a closed position, and 
 an extension, with a mounting hole and a curved locking tab disposed on a curved distal edge, to slidingly engage the lower band locking tab from left to right when viewed from the front. 
 
 
     
     
       11. The clamp according to  claim 10 , wherein, when the upper band is disposed in the closed position, the inner surface of the lower band arcuate body and the inner surface of the upper band arcuate body define a cylindrical cavity. 
     
     
       12. The clamp according to  claim 10 , wherein the lower band hinge portion is an arcuate tab and the upper band hinge portion is a slot in which the arcuate tab is cooperatively disposed. 
     
     
       13. The clamp according to  claim 10 , wherein the upper band arcuate body includes at least one lightening hole. 
     
     
       14. The clamp according to  claim 10 , wherein the lower band arcuate body includes at least one lightening hole. 
     
     
       15. The clamp according to  claim 10 , wherein the lower band locking tab thickness is substantially the same as the upper band extension thickness, and the upper band locking tab thickness is substantially the same as the lower band extension thickness. 
     
     
       16. The clamp according to  claim 10 , wherein, when the upper band is disposed in the closed position, the lower band mounting hole and the upper band mounting hole substantially overlay one another. 
     
     
       17. The clamp according to  claim 10 , wherein the upper band locking tab slidingly engages the lower band locking tab from left to right when viewed from the front. 
     
     
       18. The clamp according to  claim 10 , further comprising a cushion substantially surrounding the lower band arcuate body and the upper band arcuate body. 
     
     
       19. A method for mounting an object to a support using the side-locking clamp according to  claim 10 , the method comprising:
 disposing the side-locking clamp in an open position such that the upper band and the lower band substantially surround the object; 
 rotating the upper band toward the lower band; 
 as the upper band approaches the lower band, translating the upper band laterally, in an unlocking direction, so that the upper band locking tab clears the lower band locking tab; 
 translating the upper band laterally, in a locking direction, so that the upper band locking tab slidingly engages the lower band locking tab; and 
 mounting the side-locking clamp to a support.